Adding Potassium Nitrate when There's Nitrate in the Water

Slappy
Help me out with this....
Nitrates are used by Plants correct?????
What helps plants use Nitrates, PhosphatesRight???
Is Nitrates are not being used, then Phosphorous should be added..correct????

Tap water is showing lowest rating so far..looks yellow
I dont have a PO4 kit..(that is phophate right???)
 
Slappy
After re-reading Plantbrain...I think I may need to add more plants since I am in question already about the number of fish in my tank...more crypts and some Apontongens.
Along with that I have been thinking of adding another eheim, I have a 2215 on this tank, I have been thinking of adding a another 2215 or eheim 2227 wet/dry.

ANy Ideas....any suggestions are greatly appreciated
 
I'm still confused as to what your actual problem is. Are you saying your plants aren't using up the NO3 fast enough? They'll only use what they need. Phosphorus in itself, is an important nutrient that plants need for good growth and a healthy metabolism. Increasing the light and giving the plants CO2 is the biggest factor in how much 'nutrients' they require.
 
Slappy
I thought that when Nitrates are 12.5 or higher was not good for the tank
So what I need to do is add more CO2 ????

What will make the Nitrates lower besides a water change???

I think I am confused now.....
 
First off, that Tetra test kit is terrible and only relatively good for gross NO3 issues.

0-15ppm range of NO3 testing is useful for plants. But the kit I know works well is 60$. There are sporadic reports of some cheapies working, but they are sporadic, I tried many and gave up.

I'd not worry about the NO3 in the tap, just treat it as 0.0ppm and go ahead and dose.

Water changes will keep things low. +, -5ppm of NO3 is not going to cause much issue for you, but 0.0ppm or higher than 20ppm can.

Regards,
Tom Barr
 
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